The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-30
MRS. D0BBS' "WIIIM.'

Mr.. ana Mrs. DOODs llVed at zap
1am They were very worthy coup.
{, their friends said. That is about
he best people will say of an elderly
pair # they are not intellectual or
Troublesome. Mr.. and Mrs. Dobbs
we're neither. Mr.. Dobbs was stout
and commonplace in appearance, and
sid not firt with his neighbours wife, or
gamble in stocks, or live beyond his
income. He was hall-marked among
apright men, and was trustee
or half his friends chill.
sren. No doubt he was triae
aeavy and prosy ut times, but these
are drawbacks frequently attendant
IpoR men OF probty. He certainly
vas never tempted by impulses or in
spirations OF any sort either to do
wrong or TO become witty or original.
Mrs. Dobbs was reputed a respect
sble and virtuous matron for other
reasons. Imprimis, she had no taste
n dress; neither did she paint her tace
~ excite the envy and spite of her
emile friends by identifying her house.
She was fond Of q good dinner OF
solid English sort, and always
wore black silk or satin gowns.
Her caps were preposterous erections
VI lace, with gilt or steel ornaments
attached; and when she went to the
heater she wore n red bernouse. Tru
y this couple were left behind III the
ace OF extravaganza, frivolity and &C.
-entricity. Fashionable folks would
nave nothing to say to them, those
who did consider them worth cultivat-
ang explained their status as good,
worthy people" with u compassion
ate shrug or smile.
Mr. Dobbs was something in the
,ity," and his big Office and
many clerks brought in some
hing more than comfortable in
.ome. Yet he made no parade of
wealth and kept household accounts
strictly ESNry evening he returned
nome punctualIy by the 6 o'clock train
rom Waterloo, carrying his fish bas-
Set with hun. Fish was cheaper and
Better in the city than at Clapham,
and Mrs. Dobbs was particularly fond
Of fish. The worthy Josiah would
aot have spoiled her dinner for the
world. She must have her salmon in
season, and her red mullet and white
salt, all in due turn, of the best. By
his you will understand that
Mr.. Dobbs was devoted and
domestic. Yet there were thorns
amid the roses OF his conjugal
paradise. Mrs. Dobbs was now and
again beset by spirits OF unrest and
iiscontent, and her whims at inter.
yals caused dear, steady-Going Josiah
much inconvenience. There were no
children at Clarence Villa; and per.
laps for this reason Mrs. Dobbs had
more leisure for complaint. She prac.
iced the art. oil murmuring with as
steady q persistence as aprima donna
yer scales. Josiah suffered her dis
contents with more than the ordinary
patience OF an exemplary husband.
As years went on Josiah philosophy
.ally gave up wishing for an heir.
seeing his Dorothy had grown
oortly and middle aged. He
subscribed largely to the vari-
,us charities not having legitimate
outlet for his human kindness. A
ohiloprogenitive organ impelled him
,oward children's hospitals. Why,
said he, should not his generation
benefit instead OF they that we're to
.ome after2
Mrs. Dobbs did not however, view
such matters with equanimity See
ng the undue and unwelcome number
,f olive branches round about other
peoples tables, she resented natures
:ruety to herself. She, therefore,
rowned persistently on Josiah's
shilanthropic schemes for other
peoples children. His benevolence
coward orphans, foundlings and waits
and strays was never-ceasing
cause OF argument and modification
% her. She did not suffer any loss.
personally. from these charitable
leeds. Not wish remained migrant
ID, and checks were Forthcoming with
cheerful readiness when required. She
aad her carriage, her servants, her
nilliners as she listed. Josiah erected
. miniature Cryst Palace in his gar
zen because she wishei to have bana-
sas growing. He took her to Egypt
,ne Winter, and nearly died of sea-
sickness by the way, because she had
been reading Eastern romances and
learned for Oriental glitter. Nothing
hat money could obtain was denied
,er-only she had no children.
ror a long time Mrs. Dobbs had
displayed no extraordinary caprice.
Icsiah was sailing aiongin wonderfully